Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

Even during this debate we put forward a number of proposals that fully fund local government and the €165 million the Government took out of the local government fund last year. These proposals would not increase the burden on low and middle income PAYE worker or those in receipt of welfare.

The Government's contribution has been a charge that does the opposite. It penalises those who are already feeling the burden of five austerity budgets. It forces the lone parent further into poverty. It forces families to decide between bills and food, and we all have heard those stories. The charge is fundamentally flawed and any analysis would bring one to that conclusion.

It is sheer arrogance that the Government could not even see to allowing for waivers. It did not allow us last December the opportunity-----

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